New city park adding to revival of neighborhood

When city leaders unveiled a plan late last year to develop a new public park near the Loray Mill, funding was still a huge question mark.

But in just four months, the Optimist Club of Gastonia has already raised more than $140,000 for the venture. And the quick success means the Optimist Club Park could become a reality much sooner than expected, with woodland walking trails, a picnic grove, an open green, a butterfly garden and children’s play area.

Project supporters also say the enthusiastic participation from donors is a sign of the renewed confidence people are showing for a part of the city that has long been neglected. The historic Loray Mill sits just a block north of the future park, and construction has begun on a $40 million redevelopment that will create 190 upscale lofts there.

The apartments are expected to be ready for occupancy by spring 2014.

“I think people are beginning to understand the importance of west Gastonia,” said City Councilwoman Brenda Craig. “Churches are even getting involved in this project. It’s exciting.”

A park from a partnership

Craig was among a group of city and Optimist Club officials who were on hand Friday morning as a sign was mounted to announce the coming park. It will be built on 6 acres near the intersection of West Garrison Boulevard and South Vance Street.

The land sits behind the West Gastonia Boys and Girls Club on Boyd Street, which occupies a building and land also owned by the Optimist Club.

Club leaders announced their vision for the park in November. For years they have pondered options for getting something out of the land, which is largely unused and partially wooded.

The plan involves a partnership with the city. The Optimist Club is raising the money for the construction, landscaping and park equipment, and will likely donate the land to Gastonia at some point. City planners have done conceptual drawings of features the park could incorporate.

Planners also envision it tying into the Carolina Thread Trail, a conceptual network of walking and biking paths that could one day connect 15 counties in the Charlotte region.

Craig said the concept is similar to what Gastonia’s Rotary Clubs did several years ago to raise money and help build the Rotary Centennial Pavilion downtown.

Once the necessary funds are raised, the city will likely help to solicit bids for construction. The park will be developed in phases, with construction beginning in two to three weeks. Surveying and engineering has already been completed.

Generations of support

The first phase, costing about $170,000, will include some of the most appealing features, such as the butterfly garden, picnic grove, children’s play area and open space, Craig said.

She agreed that the fundraising jump-start raised both eyebrows and spirits. Donations of $20 or less have come in, but much larger increments have been just as common.

“That’s what’s been so neat about it,” said Craig. “It’s been a combination of different people.”

For $100, donors can purchase a commemorative brick with an inscription in memory of a loved one. It’s already proven popular, Craig said.

“So many families have lived here generation after generation,” she said. “West Gastonia citizens who have been here so long have some ownership and a partnership with this park.”

Gastonia Senior Planner Jason Thompson is among those who see the park tying together with the city’s overall efforts to revitalize the historic Loray Mill village.

“It would be a great amenity for that neighborhood, and symbolic of the rebirth of that area,” he said recently. “We view the idea for this park as sort of a component.”

For more information about donating to the project, call 704-868-4500 or email bcraig6gcc@hotmail.com.

You can reach Michael Barrett at 704-869-1826 or twitter.com/GazetteMike.